Whether or not to plant roses in your garden can be as divisive as today’s political climate. What a shame! If a rose would bring you joy, then plant one. A rose is nothing but a flowering woody shrub and takes a similar amount of care and water as any other flowering woody shrub. There are 20 native species of rose in North America, with some right here in the mountains of Arizona. Roses can withstand long periods of drought once established. Most have a lovely scent.